Qualified Person Program The Nova Scotia Environment Experience

Qualified Person Program The Nova Scotia Environment Experience Adrian Fuller & Christine Penney September 29, 2008 ENVIRONMENT

Presentation Objectives • Qualified Person Program Overview • What Challenges was Nova Scotia facing? • What Nova Scotia hoped to achieve? • How did we decide Next Steps? • How we moved from the current situation to results? • How are we doing now? • Key Elements of the Success of the Program • Current Challenges • Questions

Qualified Person Program Overview • Onsite Sewage Applications supported by selection/design by a Qualified Person (2000) • Role previously carried out by NSE staff • 2 types of Qualified Persons – QP 1 & 2’s • QP 2’s issued certificate of approval each year • QP 1’s are engineers, licensing through APENS

The Challenges Nova Scotia faced in the 1990’s? ▫ 6, 400 permits issued annually ▫ Average waiting period of 4 to 6 weeks ▫ Staff compliment was significantly reduced

The Challenges Nova Scotia faced in the 1990’s? ▫ Great regulatory responsibility/liability on the Department ▫ Little Enforcement ability ▫ Heavy Supportive Structure – 23 Municipal Boards of Health

What Nova Scotia hoped to achieve? Outcomes • Cultural Shift for ▫ Inspection staff ▫ Industry • Increase capacity ▫ Technical/Human • Improved Client Service ▫ Turnaround times

Public Policy Consideration • Review of instruments ▫ User fees • Behavioural Conscientiousness ▫ Industry • Compliance ▫ Approvals and auditing • Efficiencies ▫ Public, Government, Industry

Public Policy Consideration • Review of instruments ▫ User fees • Behavioural Conscientiousness ▫ Industry • Compliance ▫ Approvals and auditing • Efficiencies ▫ Public, Government, Industry

The Move from Situation to Results • Administrative Changes Necessary ▫ New Regulations -1997 ▫ Repealed Boards of Health • New Approach ▫ Private Sector Participation ▫ Define private sector capabilities

The Move from Situation to Results • Increase staff capacity ▫ 50 (1997) to 72 (2008) • Time to Transition ▫ 3 years for Phase 1 ▫ Still evolving

How are we doing now? Enforcement required has decreased

How are we doing Now? The number of Approvals issued since 2000 has decreased by 31% based on 2008 projections

How are we doing Now? • Turnaround Times have Decreased Turnaround times have by 92% since 2001 decreased by 92% since 2000 and continue to do so

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success • Setting Targets ▫ Business Plan ▫ Corporate Initiatives Better Business Competitive & Compliance • Continuous Improvement Model ▫ Constant Re-evaluation of the program

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success • Demonstrated Commitment to Industry ▫ Annual Engagement Opportunity ▫ Memorandum of Understanding (2003) with Waste Water Nova Scotia

Keys Elements to the Programs Continued Success • Supportive Policies/Infrastructure ▫ Update to guidelines 2000, 2004 & 2006 ▫ Revisions to regulation in 2007 ▫ EIMAS 2000 • Ensuring Compliance ▫ On-Site Services Advisory Board ▫ Streamlined approval and auditing process

Current Challenges • Continue to decrease Approval turnaround times • Consistency in program delivery • Administrative Burden on Industry/Public/Staff • Revising Performance Target

Thank you QUESTIONS ?